Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the phase of intense fighting in the southern Gaza city of Rafah is almost over. But that doesn’t mean the war is over.
He said the war will continue until Hamas is completely removed from power. The Israeli army will soon deploy new troops on the Lebanese border. There is increasing exchange of fire with Hezbollah.
Netanyahu also repeatedly rejected the idea that the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority would rule Gaza instead of Hamas.
“Ultimately you have to do two things: either allow the ongoing demilitarization of the Israel Defense Forces to continue, or establish a civilian administration,” he said in an interview with an Israeli TV channel. I hope this is the right way forward in supporting and managing some of the countries in the region.”
READ MORE : What Israel Said in Response to ‘All Eyes on Rafah
“I will tell you what I am not ready to do,” Netanyahu added. I am not ready to establish a Palestinian state there. I am not even ready to hand over power in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority.”
According to the BBC, residents of Rafah town said there was more conflict in the city. Meanwhile, the director of emergency services of the Hamas-run health ministry was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City.
Israel also attacked a relief distribution center. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says the relief center was used by Hamas.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant is on a trip to Washington to discuss the war situation in Gaza and rising tensions with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group along the Lebanese border.
On October 7 last year, after the attack of Hamas fighters in the southern part of Israel, Israel started the operation in Gaza from that day. That battle is still going on. According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, more than 37,551 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza so far.
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